Bible Blog

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Unbreakable

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“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

I’m fairly careful with money, but when I buy something I try to choose good quality items that will last. I am also quite particular about my things and like to look after them. For example, my CD collection is in alphabetical order and it drives me mad when they are replaced out of sequence or the wrong CD is put back in the wrong case. I also keep my garage/workshop organised with my screwdrivers and tools arranged according to size and type – everything has a place so that I know where to find it when I need it. Continue reading →

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I am the nail

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I have often read the account of the crucifixion of Jesus and had contempt for the disciples for falling asleep, denying and betraying Jesus.

I have despaired at the blindness and hypocrisy of the religious leaders, so intent on his destruction and mockingly telling him to save himself from the cross.

I have been disgusted at the brutality and callousness of the Roman soldiers – beating, mocking and crucifying Jesus.

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The greatest exchange

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“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. (Matthew 13:44)

What would you be willing to give up for the Kingdom of God?

The answer is simple, one word required, but very difficult to say with conviction – everything!

To give up everything is a tall order when we start to really examine what that would mean. I could probably part with most of my possessions, but if I had to relinquish my health, my job, my family, even my life, I’d probably start digging my heels in!

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Speak Boldly

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At the start of the disciples’ ministry they found themselves subjected to opposition and persecution for the speaking publicly about the gospel. Chapter 4 of Acts begins with Peter and John upsetting the temple authorities by preaching and teaching about Jesus and healing a man in His name. They are thrown in to prison until they can be questioned the following day. Despite this, 5000 people come to faith. That is astonishing! Continue reading →

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This little light of mine

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Matthew 5 – 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The wonderful thing about Jesus’ teaching is the profound truth communicated with the utmost simplicity, and this passage is the perfect example. He gets straight to the point and says that as followers of Christ we are “the light of the world”. We are not the source of the light, rather we have the light given to us from Christ. Chapter John 1:9 says ” The true light [Jesus] that gives light to every man was coming into the world”. John 8:12 also says “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

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A bloody mess!

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You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you. You are to slaughter the young bull before the Lord , and then Aaron’s sons the priests shall bring the blood and splash it against the sides of the altar at the entrance to the tent of meeting. You are to skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. The sons of Aaron the priest are to put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall arrange the pieces, including the head and the fat, on the wood that is burning on the altar. You are to wash the internal organs and the legs with water, and the priest is to burn all of it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord . (Leviticus 1:4-9 NIV)

I have been reading Leviticus this week. It is not a book that I find easy to read, and I’d much rather read one of the Gospels or Paul’s letters. The detailed and repetitive instructions on sacrifice and the law can be quite difficult to absorb and understand. Continue reading →

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Just in Time

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“Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” Exodus 16:4-5

 When the Israelites were liberated from Egypt by God, they were led into the desert by Moses and almost immediately started to grumble and complain, wishing that they had died in Egypt, rather than be led into starvation in the wilderness. The situation must have been tough and they were undoubtedly tired and hungry, as well as disappointed that God had taken them to the desert, instead of somewhere more suitable and habitable.

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Leading by example

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“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. – John 13:13-35

I have been thinking a lot about leadership this week and the qualities that a good leader should possess. There have been many books written on the subject and experts have created a variety of theories, principles and strategies for leadership. There are many facets to being a good leader and different situations and positions require different leadership styles, but there is one thing that every leader should possess – to be able to lead by example. Continue reading →

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Go, go, go Joseph!

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I once played the starring role in a church production of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat”. I know the story inside-out and can sing the songs in my sleep, but when I read the end of Genesis again this week, one verse jumped out at me because it encapsulates the whole account of Joseph and how God used him, and the parallel with the salvation that we have through Jesus. Continue reading →

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Ulitmate pension plan

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3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5

I was listening to the radio earlier this week and the presenter was leading a discussion about the recent reform of the state pension. As always, there were differing opinions about this issue, but some of the contributors were quite angry because they felt that the new system was unfair and they were being cheated of their hard earned retirement fund. This is a perfectly understandable reaction when faced with a situation that is perceived to be unfair. If you invest in something, whether that be financially or otherwise, it figures that you should get out at least what you put in. Continue reading →